Prepare for ICE in Carmel

As a pediatrician who has cared for children and families for more than 30 years, and as a Carmel City Councilor, I want to speak directly and calmly to our diverse community. We are aware that ICE is locating legal and administrative offices in Carmel and that federal immigration enforcement activity, in coordination with the Hamilton County Sheriff may take place in Carmel. While we do not expect major changes to daily life in Carmel, we know that this presence can create understandable concern.

Preparation, not panic is the appropriate response. If you are ever stopped in an immigration enforcement action, here are some practical steps:

1. Know your rights. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to ask to see a judicial warrant. You have the right to speak with an attorney. Do not sign documents you do not understand.

2. Keep important information accessible. Carry or have readily available proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status, if applicable. Keep copies (paper or secure electronic versions) in your wallet, car, or phone.

3. Keep the phone number of a licensed immigration attorney or trusted legal resource saved in your phone and written down somewhere accessible to family members.

4. Have a family plan. Ensure emergency contacts are current with schools and caregivers. Make sure children know who to call if they feel unsafe.

5. Document encounters. If you witness an enforcement interaction, video documentation, taken safely and without interfering, can be invaluable in ensuring accountability and transparency. Remain calm and do not obstruct officers.

6. Report harassment or profiling. If you experience or witness harassment within the City of Carmel, report it. You may contact the Carmel City Police Department. You may also reach out to me, the Mayor, or other elected officials. We need accurate information to respond effectively.

As your councilor, I am actively engaged in discussions about how we as a community respond thoughtfully and lawfully. We will always uphold the law. At the same time, we must be clear: Carmel is a community of long-standing, law-abiding residents who should not feel compelled to carry “papers” out of fear of being profiled or treated as outsiders in their own home.

Carmel has always been strengthened by its diversity of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds living side by side. That has not changed. Our families have contributed to this community as business owners, physicians, teachers, engineers, faith leaders, and neighbors. That contribution matters.

As a pediatrician, I am especially mindful of how uncertainty affects children. They take emotional cues from the adults around them. When we remain calm, they feel secure. Preparation is prudent. Panic is not necessary. The Carmel community is our family and our home, and I remain committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with dignity and respect. 

Caring for Carmel,

Dr. Anita Joshi